Visual signal and key.



PATENTBD JULY 23, 1907.

K. M. TURNER. VISUAL SIGNAL AND KEY.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6, 1907.

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KELLEY n. TURNER, OF

VISUAL SIGNAL rum KEY.

Signals and Keys, oi which the following is a full, clear,

and exact description.

My invention relates to signal apparatus for tele-- phone systengaparticularly the typeknown as visual signals, and which are employed with a key by which the circuits corresponding to the signals are controlled.

In telephone apparatus, and particularly in the use of switchboards, and also in connection with the dictating apparatus described in Patent No. 843,186, mechanical signals are used t6 display or drop a shutter whenever a battery current is applied to the correof two types, one in which a shutter is released to drop by gravity, and to remain in such dropped relation until specially restored, and another form in which a shutter is raised against the force of gravity by an electroniagnct and only held displayed as long as the mag signals havebeen displayed only as longas their mag nets were energized. They have not been adapted to retain theirsignal displayed beyond the time oi such energization, and so far as lain aware, they have not been self-restoring in the sense of ceasing their signal when a predetermined act or operation'is performed, as, for example, the movement of the operators key for their particular circuits. I

' In carrying out my invention I aim to provide a vis- 'ual signal having these characteristics, and further to construct it in a very simple} compact and eilicient way, and so as not to interfere with its sensitiveness of operation.

With this objectin view, .the invention consists in the features of construction and combination.horeinaf ter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of a combined visual signal and key embodying the principles of my invention; Fig. 2 18 a sectional view of the same thereon at the point 3. This magnet is mounted on tho Specification of Letters Patent. 7 Application filedlrlar'ch 8,1967. Serial in. 360.921.

These signals are NEWIYQRK, Y., sss'ro'non r0 GENERAL liGOUSTIO o o icenses/anon or new Fatshted m as, 1907.

usual metallic frame 4, having an-opening'5, for the display of the visual signal, and having a circuit controlli'ng kcy 6. ordinary construction having insulating cams or roller. 7, which press against the spring contact bladcsin uses The. target or shutter of the visual signal is indicated at 8, and is fixed to an arm or extension 9, from the armature 2. The relation is such that when the armature isattractod by its magnet, the target 8 moves upward to a position opposite the opening 5. These features thus. far described constitute the ordinary and well known construction of telephone signal and key, and in themselves form no part of my invention. point 10 upon the frame 4, I pivot alever 11, of very light and delicate construction. I At one extremity of this lever there is an enlargement, pawl or (latent 12, which is oapableof moving behind the armature 2 when the latter is attracted so as to restrain the same in its attracted relation. The other end of the lever 11 is formed with a downward extension 13, and the balance is such that the detent 12 is pressed upward very-lightly against the edge of the armature 2. For this purpose it" is merely necessary to have the Weight of the end 13 of the lever great enough so that its moment about the pivot 10 is greater than the moment hf the other end or arm of the lever. It is evident that the'lever can be properly weighted to secure this result regardless of the particular position 01' the pivot 10 ithercon.

The extension 13 of this lever is in the path of a Stud 14, which projects from a movable part of the key 6, and preferably from the spindle of the rollers 7. In this way the extension 13 is engaged by such stud 14 whenever the key is operated, and the extension is thereby (rammed to move. the lover in a direction to depress the detont l2 and release the armature 2 from its attracted relation on the electromagnct. It is obvious that any desired movement of the key may accomplish this result, but I have in practice utilized the movement of the key which establishes the talking cireuits' il'ith the party signaling.

The operation is as follows: Supposinga call to be re eived at the signal while the party thereat is away, orhis attention otherwiseengaged. The target or shutter 8 is raised opposite the opening 5 by the elec tromagnetl, and is constrained to continue in this" re lation by the detent l2'which falls behind the armature-in its attracted relation. The signal therefore continues to display altlumgh the party making the call has discontinued the signaling current. When finally the called party returns, he is notified of the call received and'moves his key to ring or telephonically con met with the party who'initially desired communica- At the tion. In the form of the invention shown the visual signal ceases to be diplayed as soon as the talking eir cuits have been completed, so that the operator does not have to give any attention to the signal. This visual signal therefore-accomplishes all of the fnnctions in connection with the key, of the self-restoring drop signal which has been used witliflie-plug and jack;

What I claim, is:, 1. In a signaling device, a magnet, an armature pivoted thereto, said armature having an arm or extension term-inating in a target, a key"pivoted to swing in aplane adjaoent to the magnet, spring blades deflected by swinging movements of said keyrin either direction from itsnormnl .01 central position, a pivoted detent lever movable into a a position to engage said armature, and means fixed to said key and enga ing saiddetent lever for displacing it frol n such relation. s

2. In combination with a vis'u'ai signal having a magnetand an armature with a target or shutter, a key having spring contact blades and can: rollers, a stod mounted-on said key, a ieveiE-having a detent 101- itest'rziining said arm ture in position-to exhibit aisignal, and an extension on said lever inthe'pa'tii" of said stud -by which the armature is released.

In witness whereof, I snbscnibemy signature, lnstiief" Witnesses:

Wsnrnn E. R. WELLS, WM.V D. Cons. 

